Construction Starting On Dubious Dubai Twirling Tower?

We have been dubious about Architect David Fisher's rotating tower for Dubai, with its wind turbines built in between each floor, and its claims that "the building will generate 10 times more energy than required to power it." We also wondered about how "The new tower is the first building of its size to produced in a factory. Each floor, made up of 12 individual units, complete with plumbing, electric connections, air conditioning, etc., will be fabricated in a factory. These modular units will be fitted on the concrete core or spine of the building at the central tower." What factory in the world does this? Like the guy says to Robert Preston in the Music Man: "Where's the band?"

We were therefore surprised to read in Inhabitat that "Construction is going to start soon, with an official launch later this month." We like to be positive, but so much of this seems, well, pie in the sky.

Perhaps Robert Ouellette puts it better than I can.

"The architect describes three technologies that the project relies on for its success. First is the ability for architecture to be dynamic, to constantly change its form. Second, is the integration of power-generating technologies that let the building generate more power than its inhabitants consume. Third, is the factory-based construction that will reduce the number of site workers, speed construction time, and improve the final finish quality.

Take a look at this rather pretentious video for an explanation of the tower. What’s my take on it? Before I was an architect I followed a Buckminster Fuller inspired career path working in aircraft manufacturing for the de Havilland Aircraft Company. I’ve seen the technologies required to make this work from both sides of the technology spectrum, and odds are that this building will fail to meet its objectives. That does not mean it is an unworthy experiment. Inventing new ways of sustainable living will not be easy or cheap; however, we have little choice but to try and if it takes $139 oil to get us there so be it." ::ReadingTorontoMore TreeHugger on incredible architecture in Dubai:Dubious DubaiRem Koolhaas's Dubai Deathstar Dubai Jumps the SharkDubai Saves Architecture ProfessionKoolhaas Loses His Marbles Again